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Hundreds of millions of pounds could be saved using oil and gas industry knowledge for offshore wind operations, it has been claimed.

Scottish Enterprise, in its , said costs could be reduced by at least 20%.

Areas highlighted include installation and maintenance.

The guide was announced ahead of the Scottish Low Carbon Investment Conference in Edinburgh.

Scottish Enterprise director of energy and low carbon technologies, Adrian Gillespie, said: "With the UK offshore wind market set to grow rapidly over the next four years, and the Scottish government's ambitious renewable energy generation targets, we must ensure Scotland is best placed to capitalise on these opportunities.

"Scotland has over 40 years experience in the oil and gas sector, which could greatly benefit the offshore wind sector.

"By encouraging greater collaboration and knowledge-sharing between these two important sectors, we will create a lasting and positive effect on the Scottish economy."

'Invaluable expertise'

First Minister Alex Salmond said: "Inward investment announcements over the last year have underlined Scotland's position as a leading location for the development of offshore renewable technology, building on our competitive advantage gained through decades of offshore engineering expertise from our oil and gas industry."

Jenny Hogan, director of policy for Scottish Renewables, added: "The expertise amassed over decades of exploration and production in the North Sea is already proving invaluable.

"Scotland has great offshore wind potential, but other areas around Europe are all competing with us for investment and manufacturing facilities.

"By working with the existing oil and gas supply chain, forged over the last four decades, the offshore renewables sector can become ever more competitive and help Scotland establish its growing reputation as a global leader in this new industry."